Apparatus and method for controlling flushing in rock drilling
AssigneeSandvik Mining and Construction Oy
InventorsPekka Anttonen, Timo Setala, Tuomo Kivela, Sirpa Launis
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Abstract
An apparatus, method and computer program product for controlling flushing in rock drilling, and a rock drilling rig. The apparatus includes a control unit and a computer program for controlling feeding of a liquid component in an air mist flushing system in response to detected penetration rate of executed drilling. An operator may set a desired moisture target value for drilling cuttings removed from a drill hole and the control system automatically adjusts the flushing system to control the feeding of the liquid component.
Claims10
An apparatus arranged for controlling an air mist arranged for flushing of a rock drilling unit, wherein the air mist comprises pressurized air and at least one liquid component, the apparatus comprises comprising:
- at least one control unit arranged for controlling feeding of the air mist, wherein the control unit is provided with input data on penetration rate of drilling, and wherein the control unit is configured to:
- calculate a removal rate of removed drilling cuttings per time period during drilling in response to input data on diameter of a drill bit, data on density of the drilled rock material, and the penetration rate, and
- receive an input target value for a moisture content of drilling cuttings removed from the drill hole being drilled;
- determine a real value of the moisture content of the drilling cuttings;
- and
- adjust feeding of the at least one liquid component in response to comparison of the input target value and the real value and in response to the calculated removal rate, the control unit being provided with sensing data on the real moisture of the drilling cuttings removed from the drilled hole, whereby the control unit is provided with feedback control and is configured to control the feeding of the liquid component.
A method of controlling flushing in rock drilling, the method comprising:
- using an air mist arranged for air mist flushing, wherein the air mist includes a flushing fluid of pressurized air and at least one liquid component;
- receiving a target moisture value for a moisture content of drilling cuttings flushed away from the drill hole during the drilling;
- controlling, during the drilling, feeding of the air mist to a flushing system by at least one control unit;
- detecting a penetration rate of the drilling;
- and
- calculate a removal rate of removed drilling cuttings per time period during drilling in response to input data on diameter of a drill bit, data on density of the drilled rock material, and the penetration rate,
- calculate a required liquid component feed rate in response to the calculated removal rate of the drilling cuttings;
- determining a real value of the moisture content of the drilling cuttings by receiving sensing data on the real moisture content of the drilling cuttings removed from the drilled hole;
- adjusting feeding of the liquid component in response to comparison of the input target value and the real value and in response to the calculated removal rate;
- wherein the control unit is provided with feedback control and
- controls the feeding of the liquid component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.